Step and Connect encourages women and girls to engage in free active recreation opportunities and increase social connection in the Yarra Ranges
With over 42% of women in the Yarra Ranges sedentary or insufficiently active, the Inspiro Health Promotion team designed and delivered Step and Connect as part of the broader Integrated Health key priority area of physical activity.
Step and Connect provided a diverse range of fun and accessible active recreation opportunities in Lilydale aimed at increasing engagement in physical activity, increasing social connection, and addressing barriers to participation for women and girls.
Funded through a Yarra Ranges Council Community Grant, Step and Connect featured three components:
- A digital and hardcopy Active Recreation Map of Lilydale
- Establishment of two Women’s Social Walking groups in Lilydale
- Facilitation of eight Girls Get Active co-designed pop-up events for girls 12 - 16, showcasing active recreation opportunities in Lilydale.
The women's social walking groups were informed by community need and addressed the gendered barrier of exercising safely during the darker winter months in a group setting at a convenient time.
The Girls Get Active pop-up series was informed by youth consultation, focus groups and engagement in co-design to address the decline and disengagement in physical activity for this unique cohort.
Two mapped local trails and ten newsletters were also created offering community a platform to share photos, stories, and information.
Step and Connect reached 139 women and girls through community consultation and provided 77 women and girls with accessible opportunities to participate in active recreation in the Yarra Ranges. Participation surveys indicated that knowledge of local opportunities increased by 56%, with 79% of youth girls indicated the pop ups allowed them to try a new activity. 94% of the women and 45% of the girls said Step and Connect provided an opportunity to meet someone new.
Following delivery of the project, both Women’s Social walking groups continue to meet weekly in Lilydale via registered Heart Foundation Walking groups.
A Get Active Yarra Ranges resource has been created to encourage continued engagement, visibility and participation in free or low-cost active recreation opportunities in the Yarra Ranges. To find out more about Step and Connect or to access the Get Active Yarra Ranges resource visit: https://inspiro.org.au/news/encouraging-active-recreation-for-women-in-the-community.
Access the Term 2 Get Active Yarra Ranges resource: here
For further detailed information please contact the Health Promotion team via email at: health.promotion@inspiro.org.au.